5 Best VPNs for Streaming Video Online

Ray Walsh

February 16, 2017

All over the world, one of the biggest reasons for wanting a VPN is to watch streaming video content. What many people might not realize, however, is that the next most popular reasons – security and privacy – are an essential part of a VPN for streaming.

The Best VPNs for Streaming Video Online

People worldwide use a VPN service to unblock geo-restricted video content. That content is unavailable due to copyright restrictions. As such, unblocking any restricted video stream is technically piracy.

The good news is that a reliable VPN combats both problems. Firstly, a VPN service allows subscribers to ‘spoof’ their IP address overseas. This completely overcomes all geo-restrictions. Connect to a US VPN server and abracadabra: you can watch US cable TV streams. Connect to an Australian server and open sesame: you can watch the Melbourne Open tennis as if you were living down under.

In addition, a top-of-the-range VPN provides strong encryption. Due to rising computer power in 2017, that means the OpenVPN protocol. When OpenVPN encryption is implemented strongly, all web traffic created by a VPN subscriber is kept private from onlookers. Internet service providers (ISPs), governments, schools, workplaces, and landlords are powerless to ‘sniff’ a VPN user’s traffic, leaving users free to do as they please. What’s more, the websites that a VPN subscriber visits have no way to see who that VPN subscriber is.

With privacy assured, the internet becomes a much more fun place and streaming options become endless. Piracy sites that are usually blocked by ISPs (because of court orders) are suddenly available again, and with the VPN on you don’t have to worry about using them either. Not every VPN, however, was created equal, so please read the considerations section below.

5/5

Some connection logs kept for internal use (but no usage logs whatsoever)

ExpressVPN has servers located in a stunning 94 countries around the globe. Those servers are reliable and super fast, which is why Express is by far the best video VPN. As discussed in the intro, a VPN for streaming needs to provide privacy. ExpressVPN is ideal because it provides OpenVPN encryption implemented to an incredibly secure level. The outcome is that ExpressVPN is a streaming VPN that is unrivaled. Subscribers use the VPN to unblock streaming video that is blocked in all regions. They are also permitted to watch content from torrent (P2P) sites like Popcorn Time (which feels like streaming but is really torrenting – if you’re after a VPN for torrenting rather than streaming, click here).

With the security and privacy that ExpressVPN gives you and the speeds to watch anything, this truly is an HD VPN. In addition, Express is one of the only VPNs that still unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer. As such, this VPN video solution is an all round winner. Reliability and uptime are also absolutely astounding on this streaming VPN. The software is lush and is available for all platforms. This VPN will even keep you secure when traveling and on public WiFi. Finally, customer care is via live chat and is 24/7: this is brilliant because you can get help unblocking any stream at any time. With a 30-day money back guarantee on the table, you would be silly not to give them a try!

4.6/5

PROS

Servers in over 70 countries

Fast servers for streaming

No usage logs

Strong encryption

Excellent customer care

CONS

P2P allowed but not recommended (Popcorn Time)

Some connection logs kept

VyprVPN belongs to internet conglomerate Golden Frog. For that reason, it has incredibly fast servers in over 70 countries. This makes it an extremely good VPN for streaming. Do bear in mind, however, that P2P is not recommended on this VPN, so using a service like Popcorn Time is better on another VPN. The VPN keeps no usage logs, however, so for streaming this is a highly secure VPN. Customer care is also fantastic and the VPN is based in Switzerland, which we love. With a 30-day money-back guarantee and a three-day free trial, you get plenty of time to test the service to make sure you like it.

4.3/5

PROS

Servers in over 60 countries

Zero logs

Fast HD VPN for streaming video

Strong encryption and privacy

Software for all platforms

CONS

Based in the US

IPVanish is a superb and budget price VPN for streaming HD video content. It is based in the US, but this is perfectly balanced by a highly secure privacy policy (zero logs). Although not as strong as ExpressVPN, encryption is still highly robust OpenVPN, which for the price is really outstanding. With servers in over 60 countries and all major continents, you will be able to stream anything that you desire. Subscribers may use the VPN on up to five devices simultaneously. P2P is also permitted. Finally, we love this VPN’s seven-day money-back guarantee, which will allow anybody to test the service.

4/5

PROS

Fast servers for streaming

Based in Hungary

Servers in 34 countries

Great software

Strong privacy and encryption

CONS

Some connection logs kept for internal use

Buffered is an excellent VPN for streaming based in Hungary. It keeps no usage logs and provides strong encryption, so you will be plenty secure for streaming. In addition, it has servers in 34 countries around the world (so you will be able to unblock most important streams). This VPN is also fully featured and even has a WiFi open port discover feature, which is really unique. All in all, it is a fantastic streaming VPN that has software for all platforms that provides a 30-day money back guarantee (for testing the service for up to ten hours). P2P is also permitted on this VPN.

3.9/5

PROS

Fast VPN for streaming

Servers in over 60 countries

Strong encryption

Awesome customer care

Unblocks everything

CONS

A great VPN, but perhaps not as mind-blowing as others on the list

Although not quite as good as some of the VPNs above, this Bulgarian provider is most definitely deserving of its place on the list of five best VPNs for streaming video. Why? It has fast servers in over 60 countries that are perfect for streaming. Encryption is OpenVPN implemented to a highly robust standard. This means privacy and security for streaming are assured. A zero logs policy perfectly complements the encryption. Customer care is incredibly friendly (I can’t recommend them enough for this reason). The software is available for all platforms and the provider offers a seven-day money back guarantee. However, only two simultaneous connection are permitted.

Streaming Video VPN: Considerations

When choosing a VPN for streaming videos, the main concerns are server locations, connection speeds, and privacy. Plenty of server locations result in the freedom to watch everything. A world-class VPN will allow anyone to watch the premiere of a brand new show on US cable TV. A streaming VPN will let anybody stream a movie that has only just come out at the cinema (on a pirate streaming site). Doing these things is technically illegal, and we certainly cannot officially recommend it. However, here at BestVPN.com, we are acutely aware that many people around the world do want to do these things.

An HD VPN for Streaming

To watch streaming videos you need a fast connection. Most VPNs have slow servers that are laggy and don’t allow streaming in HD. In addition, most of the (over 850) commercial VPNs on the market have invasive privacy policies and outdated encryption protocols. Even when they do have OpenVPN, it is implemented so badly that it can be hacked in 100 hours or less (hardly a big job).

Those lousy VPNs are there to rip people off while also capturing their data to sell to third parties and make even more cash. This is a crazy security risk. Unbelievably, those evil VPNs ruthlessly lie on their websites and claim to provide privacy – when they don’t. Here at BestVPN.com, we understand the dizzying joys of a world-class VPN service. We also believe that no one should have to suffer the heartbreak of a laggy VPN or the outright lie of privacy when there is none.

The Ultimate VPN Video Solution

A VPN for streaming movies requires the same things as a VPN for live streaming. In addition, most movies and TV shows nowadays are so action-packed that HD quality is vital. The same goes for sport, where high definition is essential for watching the golf or tennis ball whizz across the screen.

The VPNs in this guide provide fast connection speeds that are perfect for watching HD videos (and even to do 4k streaming). So no matter whether you want to watch Netflix on a 4k UHD TV – or some other stream that interests you – with these VPNs for 4k UHD TV you will be all set to go!

A Streaming VPN for Any Device

The VPNs we have recommended will also allow you to stream on any device that you wish. The VPNs that we have selected allow subscribers to stream on a minimum of two devices simultaneously. That means you can watch something different to your partner. Or allow the children to stream cartoons on a laptop, while you stream baseball on a tablet. For anybody interested in using a VPN for streaming on a smart TV or Android set-top box, please see our article here.

VPN Streaming for Beginners

What Could I Stream with VPN?

When it comes to streaming via VPN, the world is your oyster. Sites like 123movies, Putlocker, Niter.co, watch32movies.co, xmovies8.org, movii.ga and vidics.ch all offer piracy options that we absolutely don’t recommend that you try unless you have one of our recommended VPNs connected (and protected with a kill switch). For cartoons, you could try cartoonhd.me – though do bear in mind that cartoons are also under copyright protection. As you are probably starting to understand, there is a huge reason to have a secure VPN for streaming.

Remember: these are options that BestVPN in no way endorses. However, these are sites that VPN users do visit and which anyone would be safe to enjoy with a VPN like ExpressVPN (which provides insanely strong OpenVPN encryption).

Sports fans can stream Premiership football, or any other sports they are interested in, using either SlingTV (connect to a US server: you do need a subscription but it is amazing for sports), or the staggering BeIN sports (Middle East-only sports package that lets people watch heaps of sport, including plentyof football). The VPNs that we have recommended have servers all over the world, so you will be able to unblock individual competitions like Wimbledon, X Games, Olympics, and world championships, as well as local leagues shown on international streaming TV channels. You can also check out our list of the five best VPNs for sports.

Legal Websites for Streaming with a Video VPN

crackle.com is a website owned by Sony, which is lesser known than the likes of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. However, it is a site that can be well worth a visit. Unfortunately, it is restricted in a number of nations, including Germany, France, and Spain. For people in those countries, a VPN for streaming is the answer. Remember that due to copyright restrictions video streaming sites have different catalogs in different regions. With a VPN for streaming, you can ‘spoof’ into any of those countries to access a different catalog.

Best VPN for Streaming: Conclusion

This list of the five best VPNs for streaming will give you a precise idea of which VPN you should select for your device. While many people aren’t necessarily worried about security and privacy, we have shown why a world-class video VPN needs to have watertight security features. Freedom to stream isn’t really freedom if you can’t stream anything that you want risk-free.

The VPNs in this guide will allow anybody to access streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, or geo-blocked sports competitions. Because all the VPNs for streaming in this article have masses of servers throughout the world, you will not encounter a problem unblocking anything.

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I am a freelance journalist and blogger from England. I am highly interested in politics and in particular the subject of IR. I am an advocate for freedom of speech, equality, and personal privacy. On a more personal level I like to stay active, love snowboarding, swimming and cycling, enjoy seafood, and love to listen to trap music.